Cigar-box



W. PINOUS'.

(No Model.)

CIGAR BOX.

Patented June 13, '1893.

1...] III u 7 o. WASNINGYO UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WVALTER PINOUS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

CIGAR-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 499,645, dated June 13, 1893. Application filed July 22, 1891. Renewed October 19, 1892. Serial No. 449,322. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER PINOUS, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city and county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Boxes, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, of which Figure 1 is a perspective view. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section, as on the line 1-2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a transverse section, as on the line 34, Fig. 1.

This invention relates to cigar boxes and the like; and its object is to improve the construction of these boxes in such manner that their capacity may be readily changed as oocasion may require. For example, when the improvement is embodied in a cigar box, the lower layers of cigars may be successively raised toward the top of the box so as to occupy the space occasioned from time to time by the removal of the upper layers of cigars.

The invention comprises a box consisting of the combination with a suitable frame, of a bottom adjustable therein, and means for fixing said bottom in its positions of adjustment.

It consists also in details of construction which will be hereinafter pointed out.

I remark at this point that I am aware of the fact that it is not new to provide a box with a false bottom adapted to be adjusted vertically within the box by means of externally-projecting devices. Consequently, I make herein no claim broadly to a box so equipped.

Referring to the annexed drawings, A represents my improved box (a cigar-box, for illustration); abeing the frame or walls ofthe box; a the usual hinged lid or cover, and a the bottom. It will be observed that instead of this bottom being fixed permanently to the walls of the box as ordinarily, I make said bottom of such size that when it is suitably applied, it slides freely within the frame, and I provide the latter with internal means whereby the bottom may be maintained temporarily in any position to which it may be adjusted. Such means in the present instance consists of four thin plates, B, preferably of spring metal, suitably fixed in the respective corners of the frame. Said plates are secured in place at their lower ends only. They have each a slight outward bend or set, and are each provided with a vertical series of indentations or perforations, b. The bottom has at or near its respective corners short studs orprojections, a which are so disposed that when the bottom is applied to the frame, and verticallyadj usted therein,they (the studs) engage with the indentations or perforationsin the contiguous plates. It will be obvious that when the studs are in register with the indentations, the outward springing action of the plates assures a positive engagement thereof, thus effectually supporting the bottom in any position to which it may be set. By making the bottom itself adjustable in this manner, not only is there obviated the use of a false or additional bottom, but also the use of external projecting devices for effecting the requisite adjustments of said bottom, inasmuch as it is merely necessary to apply proper pressure to the under side of the bottom to adjust it.

Obviously as the layers of cigars are exhausted the next layers may be successively raised to the top of the box by manipulating the bottom in the manner stated.

Along the lower edge of the frame I secure in-projecting strips, 0, which act as permanent stops for the bottom. These stops are usually essential, as without them the bottom might be forced out of the box in the process of packing the contained cigars, or during transportation. Instead of the strips I may use teats or other devices to the same end.

I may add that I do not restrict myself to the precise devices which I have shown and described for maintaining the bottom in its various positions of adjustment, as it is plain there may be many substitutes for said devices.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and wish to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The box consisting of the combination of the wall-frame open at its upper and lower sides, the bottom vertically adjustable within said frame, and means for fixing said bottom in its positions of adjustment, these means being so constructed and arranged that they may be operated from the under side of the bottom while the contents of the box are supported upon the latter, substantially as described.

2. The box consisting of the combination of the frame, the elastic plates therein provided with indentations or perforations, the vertically-adjustable bottom, and the rigid studs on said bottom adapted to engage said indentations or perforations, substantially as described.

3. The box consisting of the combination of the wall frame open at its upper and lower sides, the bottom vertically adjustable within said frame, and means for fixing said bottom in its positions of adjustment, these means being so constructed and arranged that they may be operated from the under-side of the bottom while the contents of the box are supported upon the latter, together with the permanent stops on the lower inner edge of said frame, substantially as described.

4:. Thebox consisting of the combination of the frame, open at its upper and lower sides the elastic plates therein provided with indentations or perforations, the vertically-adj ustable bottom, and the studs on said bottom adapted to engage said indentations or perforations, together with the inprojecting strips along the lower edge of said frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature this 7 thday of July, A. D.

WALTER PINOUS. Witnesses:

JOHN R. NOLAN, JOSHUA PUsEY. 

